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| Senate enters a marathon sitting to pass voting reform – politics live | Senate enters a marathon sitting to pass voting reform – politics live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 10.44pm GMT | |
| 22:44 | |
| Green senator Robert Simms has accused Labor of wedge politics. | |
| Hang on, says Labor’s senate leader Penny Wong. You say you want a vote today, you are out, saying it on social media – then vote for a motion that will give you both a full debate on marriage equality and a vote. Today. | |
| Penny Wong: | |
| Twice in three days the Australian Greens will vote to prevent a vote on marriage equality! | |
| 10.38pm GMT | |
| 22:38 | |
| A return to the atmoic wedgie hour | |
| Speaking of the senate, it’s begun today’s proceedings. Right now the DLP senator David Leyonhjelm is suspending the standing orders again to reorder today’s business. | |
| He’s trying to bring on the Greens marriage equality bill again, as he did earlier in the week. He wants the Greens to vote for the suspension now rather than have a debate in private members business later this morning. He says his motion would guarantee a vote this week, which is likely the last sitting week before the budget. It would be perverse to do otherwise, he says. | |
| The Greens won’t support this motion. | |
| (This is getting ludicrous now. The Greens want a one hour debate today and they want Labor’s support to force a vote after an hour. Labor says if the Greens want a resolution then they should support the Leyonhjelm motion, which guarantees a long debate and a vote. For God’s sake, people.) | |
| 10.31pm GMT | |
| 22:31 | |
| For Greens leader Richard Di Natale, the hits can happen outside the senate. He’s a former VFL footballer. | |
| 10.21pm GMT | 10.21pm GMT |
| 22:21 | 22:21 |
| Perhaps the Safe Schools petition has resurfaced? | Perhaps the Safe Schools petition has resurfaced? |
| Tony Abbott has signed the petition to suspend funding for Safe Schools program | Tony Abbott has signed the petition to suspend funding for Safe Schools program |
| It really is post modern politics to sign a petition to defund a program you funded when when you were prime minister. | It really is post modern politics to sign a petition to defund a program you funded when when you were prime minister. |
| 10.14pm GMT | 10.14pm GMT |
| 22:14 | 22:14 |
| Still with the tabloids another good story this morning in The Courier Mail. Readers with me yesterday will know we had the bizarre story of former resources minister Ian Macfarlane making it known he’d been offered a new job by the Queensland government, then the Queensland government making it known that it hadn’t offered Macfarlane a job. | Still with the tabloids another good story this morning in The Courier Mail. Readers with me yesterday will know we had the bizarre story of former resources minister Ian Macfarlane making it known he’d been offered a new job by the Queensland government, then the Queensland government making it known that it hadn’t offered Macfarlane a job. |
| Now, a twist. Renee Viellaris reports. | Now, a twist. Renee Viellaris reports. |
| Malcolm Turnbull personally urged Annastacia Palaszczuk to delay appointing Ian Macfarlane to a plum role under a plan to save his government from a damaging by-election. The prime minister rang the premier last week asking her to keep open the newly created position of a Resources Investment Commissioner for another three months, which has further fuelled speculation he plans to call a double dissolution election. | Malcolm Turnbull personally urged Annastacia Palaszczuk to delay appointing Ian Macfarlane to a plum role under a plan to save his government from a damaging by-election. The prime minister rang the premier last week asking her to keep open the newly created position of a Resources Investment Commissioner for another three months, which has further fuelled speculation he plans to call a double dissolution election. |
| The bizarre phone call was met with surprise by Ms Palaszczuk, who dismissed the plea, and wants to announce a candidate and turbocharge jobs in the struggling resources sector. | The bizarre phone call was met with surprise by Ms Palaszczuk, who dismissed the plea, and wants to announce a candidate and turbocharge jobs in the struggling resources sector. |
| The Courier-Mail can reveal Macfarlane, who has already announced he would not recontest his seat of Groom, was planning to quit parliament as early as last Friday. It is believed he is the preferred candidate for the job and a contract is ready for him to sign. It has been speculated Turnbull thought he was also trying to help his mate, who under law cannot accept a job while he is a member of parliament. | The Courier-Mail can reveal Macfarlane, who has already announced he would not recontest his seat of Groom, was planning to quit parliament as early as last Friday. It is believed he is the preferred candidate for the job and a contract is ready for him to sign. It has been speculated Turnbull thought he was also trying to help his mate, who under law cannot accept a job while he is a member of parliament. |
| 10.07pm GMT | 10.07pm GMT |
| 22:07 | 22:07 |
| Recapping the Stuart Robert story for folks who have forgotten the fine print. | Recapping the Stuart Robert story for folks who have forgotten the fine print. |
| The Herald Sun revealed five weeks ago that Robert, while assistant defence minister, went to China in a personal capacity to support Liberal donor and friend, Paul Marks, during a signing ceremony between his company, Nimrod, and a Chinese government-owned company called Minmetals. | The Herald Sun revealed five weeks ago that Robert, while assistant defence minister, went to China in a personal capacity to support Liberal donor and friend, Paul Marks, during a signing ceremony between his company, Nimrod, and a Chinese government-owned company called Minmetals. |
| Given it’s their story, I’ll let Ellen Whinnett and Fiona Hudson pick up the tale. | Given it’s their story, I’ll let Ellen Whinnett and Fiona Hudson pick up the tale. |
| Robert witnessed the ceremony, posed for photos and later led a delegation of business people, including some from Nimrod, to meet Chinese officials. Minmetals reported on its website that the then assistant defence minister spoke on behalf of the defence department. At the time, Robert owned shares in one of Marks’s companies, gold miner Evolution. He later told an inquiry that through a trustee he also held shares in another Marks-linked company with a direct stake in Nimrod. | Robert witnessed the ceremony, posed for photos and later led a delegation of business people, including some from Nimrod, to meet Chinese officials. Minmetals reported on its website that the then assistant defence minister spoke on behalf of the defence department. At the time, Robert owned shares in one of Marks’s companies, gold miner Evolution. He later told an inquiry that through a trustee he also held shares in another Marks-linked company with a direct stake in Nimrod. |
| Shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus referred the matter to the AFP on February 14, citing sections of the law that deal with abuse of public office by Commonwealth officials. The maximum penalty for a breach is five years’ jail. On February 16, the AFP advised that the matter was still being evaluated. On February 29, it said there was no update. But last night, it confirmed that following Dreyfus’s referral, an investigation was now under way. | Shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus referred the matter to the AFP on February 14, citing sections of the law that deal with abuse of public office by Commonwealth officials. The maximum penalty for a breach is five years’ jail. On February 16, the AFP advised that the matter was still being evaluated. On February 29, it said there was no update. But last night, it confirmed that following Dreyfus’s referral, an investigation was now under way. |
| Robert lost his ministry in the subsequent controversy. | Robert lost his ministry in the subsequent controversy. |
| 9.56pm GMT | 9.56pm GMT |
| 21:56 | 21:56 |
| Dreyfus referral cites potential abuse of public office | Dreyfus referral cites potential abuse of public office |
| Here is the text of the Dreyfus referral to the AFP. | Here is the text of the Dreyfus referral to the AFP. |
| Dear Commissioner, | Dear Commissioner, |
| I refer to you for investigation the activities of then Assistant Defence Minister Mr Stuart Robert MP while in China in August 2014. | I refer to you for investigation the activities of then Assistant Defence Minister Mr Stuart Robert MP while in China in August 2014. |
| Mr Robert’s conduct has been the subject of an internal investigation by the Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, who concluded that Mr Robert had breached ministerial standards. | Mr Robert’s conduct has been the subject of an internal investigation by the Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, who concluded that Mr Robert had breached ministerial standards. |
| However, the publicly reported facts indicate that Mr Robert’s conduct may also have involved serious criminality. I would be grateful if the Australian Federal Police would investigate whether Mr Robert has committed any federal offence. | However, the publicly reported facts indicate that Mr Robert’s conduct may also have involved serious criminality. I would be grateful if the Australian Federal Police would investigate whether Mr Robert has committed any federal offence. |
| It is clear that Mr Robert sought to benefit Mr Marks, a significant Liberal donor, but the revelation that Mr Robert himself stood to gain financially through his shareholdings in a company related to Nimrod is even more serious. The prime minister has been careful to say only that this created an “impression” that Mr Robert stood to gain personally from his trip. Whether he intended to do so now merits a proper police investigation. | It is clear that Mr Robert sought to benefit Mr Marks, a significant Liberal donor, but the revelation that Mr Robert himself stood to gain financially through his shareholdings in a company related to Nimrod is even more serious. The prime minister has been careful to say only that this created an “impression” that Mr Robert stood to gain personally from his trip. Whether he intended to do so now merits a proper police investigation. |
| I note in particular that section 142.2 of the Criminal Code, “abuse of public office”, makes it an offence for a minister to exercise any influence or engage in any conduct in the course of his or her duties with the intention to dishonestly obtain a benefit for himself or herself or another person. This offence applies even where a person merely “holds himself or herself out” as acting as a minister. | I note in particular that section 142.2 of the Criminal Code, “abuse of public office”, makes it an offence for a minister to exercise any influence or engage in any conduct in the course of his or her duties with the intention to dishonestly obtain a benefit for himself or herself or another person. This offence applies even where a person merely “holds himself or herself out” as acting as a minister. |
| The government has not released Dr Parkinson’s report, nor the information he relied on, and it may be that other offences also apply. | The government has not released Dr Parkinson’s report, nor the information he relied on, and it may be that other offences also apply. |
| Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. | Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. |
| Mark Dreyfus | Mark Dreyfus |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.00pm GMT | at 10.00pm GMT |
| 9.53pm GMT | 9.53pm GMT |
| 21:53 | 21:53 |
| I gather the Dreyfus referral relates to Stuart Robert and shares in a related company. I’m chasing his referral and will post it when I get it. | I gather the Dreyfus referral relates to Stuart Robert and shares in a related company. I’m chasing his referral and will post it when I get it. |
| 9.41pm GMT | 9.41pm GMT |
| 21:41 | 21:41 |
| The Australian Federal Police have issued a statement in relation to Stuart Robert. | The Australian Federal Police have issued a statement in relation to Stuart Robert. |
| The Australian Federal Police (AFP) can confirm it received a referral on Sunday 14 February 2016 from Mark Dreyfus QC MP in relation to this matter. The matter is now being investigated and while this occurs, it is not appropriate to provide further comment. | The Australian Federal Police (AFP) can confirm it received a referral on Sunday 14 February 2016 from Mark Dreyfus QC MP in relation to this matter. The matter is now being investigated and while this occurs, it is not appropriate to provide further comment. |
| 9.28pm GMT | 9.28pm GMT |
| 21:28 | 21:28 |
| Some breaking news from the Herald Sun journalist Ellen Whinnett. | Some breaking news from the Herald Sun journalist Ellen Whinnett. |
| Exclusive: Police are investigating dumped minister Stuart Robert over China trip @theheraldsun @Fiona_HS #auspolhttps://t.co/kSOJKAg7WN | Exclusive: Police are investigating dumped minister Stuart Robert over China trip @theheraldsun @Fiona_HS #auspolhttps://t.co/kSOJKAg7WN |
| 9.26pm GMT | 9.26pm GMT |
| 21:26 | 21:26 |
| Entsch was asked whether the government review into Safe Schools was a whitewash as critics claim. Conservative MPs say the review only visited five schools and didn’t look at the full range of materials. Entsch says his impression of the review was it was short, sharp and a bit limited – but it was balanced. | Entsch was asked whether the government review into Safe Schools was a whitewash as critics claim. Conservative MPs say the review only visited five schools and didn’t look at the full range of materials. Entsch says his impression of the review was it was short, sharp and a bit limited – but it was balanced. |
| Q: Was it a whitewash? | Q: Was it a whitewash? |
| Of course not. It was quite balanced. | Of course not. It was quite balanced. |
| He feels some of the education being offered through the program could be offered to some of the adults in the parliament. Entsch says comments like all kids start of being confused until they end up normal are absurd. He suspects children are more tolerant than adults. | He feels some of the education being offered through the program could be offered to some of the adults in the parliament. Entsch says comments like all kids start of being confused until they end up normal are absurd. He suspects children are more tolerant than adults. |
| 9.13pm GMT | 9.13pm GMT |
| 21:13 | 21:13 |
| O petition, where art thou? | O petition, where art thou? |
| Warren Entsch, a staunch advocate of LGBTI issues within government ranks, has just been interviewed by Radio National. He says colleagues campaigning against the Safe Schools program have a “particular agenda.” He says the current debate really needs “a voice of reason.” His view is the current backlash is being driven by interest groups outside the parliament. Entsch has also noted that people can “draw their own conclusions” why nothing was heard of this program when Tony Abbott was the prime minister. | Warren Entsch, a staunch advocate of LGBTI issues within government ranks, has just been interviewed by Radio National. He says colleagues campaigning against the Safe Schools program have a “particular agenda.” He says the current debate really needs “a voice of reason.” His view is the current backlash is being driven by interest groups outside the parliament. Entsch has also noted that people can “draw their own conclusions” why nothing was heard of this program when Tony Abbott was the prime minister. |
| Entsch has told Radio National he has seen the petition being circulated by Christensen – the letter calling for the program to be defunded until a parliamentary inquiry is conducted – but he refused to sign it or circulate it. | Entsch has told Radio National he has seen the petition being circulated by Christensen – the letter calling for the program to be defunded until a parliamentary inquiry is conducted – but he refused to sign it or circulate it. |
| Warren Entsch: | Warren Entsch: |
| I handed it back. I wasn’t prepared to pass it on. | I handed it back. I wasn’t prepared to pass it on. |
| He says he got an email last night from Christensen’s office asking about the whereabouts of said petition. The email asked did anyone know where the petition was. | He says he got an email last night from Christensen’s office asking about the whereabouts of said petition. The email asked did anyone know where the petition was. |
| It seems to have disappeared. | It seems to have disappeared. |
| Entsch says he had nothing to do with any disappearance. | Entsch says he had nothing to do with any disappearance. |
| 9.01pm GMT | 9.01pm GMT |
| 21:01 | 21:01 |
| Happy Thursday | Happy Thursday |
| Good morning and welcome to Canberra, where hot air is belching in regular intervals over the top of parliament house. No, not a gaggle of aggrieved backbenchers, but a cluster of balloons moving gracefully across the lake. As I drove in this morning a giant censorious owl was staring in incomprehension at parliament house. It seemed fitting. | Good morning and welcome to Canberra, where hot air is belching in regular intervals over the top of parliament house. No, not a gaggle of aggrieved backbenchers, but a cluster of balloons moving gracefully across the lake. As I drove in this morning a giant censorious owl was staring in incomprehension at parliament house. It seemed fitting. |
| We can all make like giant censorious owls and via this live coverage, watch the banquet that politics serves up this Thursday. In no particular order, the government’s senate voting reform package will work its way through the red room at some point in the next 24 hours courtesy of an agreement between the government and the Greens. | We can all make like giant censorious owls and via this live coverage, watch the banquet that politics serves up this Thursday. In no particular order, the government’s senate voting reform package will work its way through the red room at some point in the next 24 hours courtesy of an agreement between the government and the Greens. |
| We expect a short debate on marriage equality during private members time in the senate today. A vote on the legislation is not, technically, impossible, but it’s highly unlikely. This debate is happening because earlier in the week the Greens denied themselves the opportunity of voting on their own marriage bill because of the agreement they’d reached with the government on senate voting reform. | We expect a short debate on marriage equality during private members time in the senate today. A vote on the legislation is not, technically, impossible, but it’s highly unlikely. This debate is happening because earlier in the week the Greens denied themselves the opportunity of voting on their own marriage bill because of the agreement they’d reached with the government on senate voting reform. |
| The Coalition is still roiling over the Safe Schools programs. Yesterday, under the cover of parliamentary privilege, and later on Sky News, LNP backbencher George Christensen, accused a professor linked to the anti-bullying program of being an advocate of paedophilia. Christensen is pushing for a parliamentary inquiry into the program because he doesn’t approve of the outcome of a recent review the government undertook of the program at the request of conservative MPs, including Christensen. The Australian reports this morning that the deputy prime minister, Barnaby Joyce, intends to raise the issue with the education minister Simon Birmingham. I’ve heard one government backbencher, Ewen Jones, standing up for the value of the program on the wireless this morning. Thus far we’ve heard nothing at all from the prime minister. I wonder if we will? | The Coalition is still roiling over the Safe Schools programs. Yesterday, under the cover of parliamentary privilege, and later on Sky News, LNP backbencher George Christensen, accused a professor linked to the anti-bullying program of being an advocate of paedophilia. Christensen is pushing for a parliamentary inquiry into the program because he doesn’t approve of the outcome of a recent review the government undertook of the program at the request of conservative MPs, including Christensen. The Australian reports this morning that the deputy prime minister, Barnaby Joyce, intends to raise the issue with the education minister Simon Birmingham. I’ve heard one government backbencher, Ewen Jones, standing up for the value of the program on the wireless this morning. Thus far we’ve heard nothing at all from the prime minister. I wonder if we will? |
| Rather than wonder, let’s press on. The comments thread is wide open for your business. Magic Mike and I are up and about on the twits. He’s @mpbowers and I’m @murpharoo You can also chime in (and I hope you do) on my Facebook forum, which you can see here. If you are Mike mad (many people are, including me) you can follow him on Instagram at mikepbowers | Rather than wonder, let’s press on. The comments thread is wide open for your business. Magic Mike and I are up and about on the twits. He’s @mpbowers and I’m @murpharoo You can also chime in (and I hope you do) on my Facebook forum, which you can see here. If you are Mike mad (many people are, including me) you can follow him on Instagram at mikepbowers |